The Chairman of the Plateau State Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mrs Ayuku Pwaspo has appealed to the state government to overhaul the state owned media outfits, the Plateau Publishing Corporation, PPC, publishers of THE NIGERIA STANDARD newspaper and SUNDAY STANDARD and the Plateau Radio and Television Corporation, PRTVC to project the image of the state by telling the Plateau story to the outside world.
Ayuku who is the first female Chairman of the NUJ, made the call when she led other officials of the council on a courtesy visit on Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Old Government, House, Rayfield, Jos, yesterday.
The NUJ Chairman said, ” We want to lend our voice to the Time is Now administration to give attention to the media organisations to deliver on their mandate and project the true Plateau story to the outside world,” she stressed.
She disclosed that they were at Government House to congratulate the governor on their election and victory at the tribunal.
The Chairman noted that his election was divine, to uplift and build on the foundation laid by his predecessors.
She highlighted that as journalists, they have the onerous and critical responsibility to educate the public as well as promote government policies and programmes for the benefit and general good of the society.
Journalists, she noted, were professionals and not members of any political party. Or do they have affiliations, attachment, or alignment with political persuasion. She added that they were sometimes critical in their analysis to elicit or promote issues, policies, programmes, or projects that add value to the people.
Pwaspo however told the governor that the emergence of the current leadership followed the election held last month and deemed it fit to come and appreciate the government for its support and to introduce the officials to the government.
The NUJ leadership assured the government of the commitment and determination of members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to partner with the government to harness the potentials of the state.
She commended the governor for efforts in tackling the security challenges that have bedevilled the state for years.
She pointed out that as agenda setters, their job was demanding and requires support and conducive environment to perform well.
Pwaspo stated that the NUJ secretariat was donated by the former governor of the state, the late Chief Solomon Lar in 1982 and successive administrations have done one project or the other with the recent remodelling of the Secretariat by the past governor, Barr Simon Bako Lalong. And appealed to the present administration to assist on the ongoing project, the NUJ House at the Press Centre which is a one storey building with 500 seater capacity hall and offices for lease.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang expressed delight for the visit and congratulated the Chairman, Mrs Ayuku Pwaspo for her emergence as the first female Chairman of NUJ on the Plateau and other officials at the recent election.
Mutfwang, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo expressed confidence in the ability and competence of the first female chairman of the NUJ.
He urged Journalists as members of the fourth estate of the realm and as partners in progress, to remain apolitical just as he pointed out that they owe a lot to members of public and society who look up to them.
Governor Mutfwang assured the leadership of the NUJ in the state of his readiness to partner with them by making sure that a conducive atmosphere was provided for them to operate.
On the request presented by NUJ, the governor’s representative promised to channel it appropriately.
